Saturday, January 4, 2014

Michael
Schumacher's family say they been 'utterly overwhelmed' and 'moved to
tears' by the birthday vigil held by scores of fans and well-wishers
outside the French hospital where he is being treated for serious head
injuries following a skiing accident last weekend.

Schumacher should have been celebrating his 45th birthday with his
family on Friday but instead remained in an artificially-induced coma at
the Grenoble University Hospital, where he was rushed following
Sunday's accident in the Alpine resort of Meribel.

Some
200 people from Ferrari fan clubs based around Europe made the trip to
the hospital, where a tribute was held in support of the seven-time
Formula One world champion.

MESSAGE ON FERRARI WEBSITE N SCHUMACHER'S BIRTHDAY

Maranello, 3 January –
This is a special day for Ferrari and all its fans, as it is Michael
Schumacher's birthday. At the moment, he is tackling the most important
fight of his life and therefore we want to send him very special wishes.
There have so many wonderful moments we have spent together and we have
chosen 72. It's not a
random number, as it represents the number of wins Michael achieved with
the Scuderia from 1996 to 2006: 72 Grands Prix that gave us and the
millions of Prancing Horse fans from all over the world so much
pleasure. These were unforgettable moments which, along with his
passion, commitment and dedication makes Michael part of the great
Ferrari family for ever. Everyone
at Ferrari, from President Luca di Montezemolo and Team Principal
Stefano Domenicali, who are in touch all the time with Michael's family
and those closest to him, are continuously watching how his situation
evolves. Obviously, today there are double the reasons to wish him all
the best. Forza Michael!

Tribute: Fans of Schumacher hold signs with messages of support and banners of F1 Ferrari team

Statement: Fans project a message on a wall of the Grenoble Hospital which reads: '45. Schumi stay strong! Keep fighting'

Hero: 'Schumi' Schumacher is idolised by many Formula One fans across the world

Staying strong: Well-wishers pay tribute to Schumacher, who is in a critical but stable condition

Loyal: The Ferrari team, with whom Schumacher
won a record five drivers' titles in a row between 2000 and 2004,
organised a 'silent march'

The scores of well-wishers also held a one-minute silence on Friday afternoon.

Schumacher's family, who on Thursday said Michael 'is a fighter and will not give up'
his fight for life, expressed their sincere appreciation following
Friday's tributes, which were largely co-ordinated by Ferrari, with whom
the German driver won five of his seven world titles.

'The
incredible sympathies shown today by the Ferrari Fans outside the
hospital has utterly overwhemed us and moved us all to tears,' Schumacher's family said in a statement on his official website.

'We
are deeply grateful for it and also for all the heartwarming and
heartfelt wishes for Michael to get well soon, which have reached us
from all over the world.'

Return: Father Rolf Schumacher and brother Ralf Schumacher (right) arrive at the French Alps hospital

Arrived: Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher visits his brother in the hospital, with Michael still being treated

Under care: The Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former world champion is being treated

By his side: Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's manager, arrives at the hospital in the French Alps

Schumacher's
family - wife Corinna and their two children, father Rolf and brother
Ralf - have maintained a presence at his bedside since the weekend.

Schumacher
enjoys a special place in the hearts of all Ferrari fans, having won
the world drivers' title for five successive years between 2000 and 2004
while driving for the Scuderia. Seventy-two of his record 91 grand prix wins also came at the wheel of Ferrari cars.

No
update was given on Schumacher's condition by the hospital or his
management on Thursday and that remained the case on Friday.

Schumacher suffered major brain trauma in the accident which occurred when skiing off-piste in the resort of Meribel in France.

Accident: Schumacher had a brain haemorrhage
after falling and hitting his head on a rock while skiing off-piste in
the French resort of Meribel on Sunday

It is believed that his life was saved by his skiing helmet, which
split on impact. Schumacher was initially conscious before deteriorating
into a critical condition.

Rescuers
were on hand within minutes of the accident and he was airlifted to
Grenoble Hospital, where neurosurgeons have operated twice to remove
blood clots on the brain and reduce swelling.

Doctors
have said the impact caused numerous brain injuries including
intracranial hematomas (multiple blood clots), bilateral lesions and
bruising of the brain.

An
initial operation carried out on Sunday to reduce swelling was followed
by a second to remove the largest of a number of clots in his brain.
Jacqueline Hubert, the Grenoble Hospital's director general, said on Tuesday that his condition had started to improve.